Cornwall Council is calling for sites that could potentially be used to build houses, employment space, community facilities, or for helping nature recover.

building plots

The aim is to provide an early opportunity for individuals, landowners, developers and other interested parties to submit sites that they think could potentially be used for a range of uses in the future. 

All councils are obliged to maintain an adequate and up-to-date supply of such sites. This will help Cornwall in formulating a future local plan for beyond 2030.

“We want to involve everyone in this process,” said Olly Monk, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for planning and housing. “We are already talking to developers, local communities, and partners to identify suitable sites, and now this is an opportunity for anybody to put forward suggestions for where land might be suitable and available to meet the demand for housing, employment, or nature uses in the future. We will particularly encourage the reuse of vacant or derelict land.

“It’s important to stress that having land included in the call for sites does not grant planning permission or necessarily mean that a site will be granted permission in the future.

“What it means is that sites that meet some basic tests will be kept on a database and may later be referred to as we work together to develop a future local plan for Cornwall. They may also be used by parish and town councils to help create neighbourhood plans.”

He added: “We know that we will get far more land suggested than we actually need — land being available doesn’t equal land being developed! 

“It also does not mean that the council supports the site for allocation in its new local plan, or development through a planning application. Submitted sites will be subject to assessment and future consultation.

“We need to continue to plan for the delivery of much-needed homes in Cornwall as we continue to see unprecedented demand. Enabling sustainable communities with the right infrastructure is a key part of the council’s long-term approach to addressing Cornwall’s housing needs.” 

For more information visit cornwall.gov.uk/callforsites